Form for producing concrete columns



Aug. 18, 1964 c. l. WILLIAMS 3,144,699

FORM FOR PRODUCING CONCRETE COLUMNS Filed 001;. 4, 1961 Ill -//E" H ll I2 39 I? I8 36 23 3 7 xguug iuu E- I? I8 2.

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INVENTOR:

CHESTER l.- WILLIAMS United States Patent 3,144,699 FORM FOR PRODUCING CONCRETE COLUMNS Chester I. Williams, 347 Greenhriar SE., Grand Rapids, Mich. Filed Oct. 4, 1961, Ser. No. 142,928 3 Claims. (Cl. 25-118) This invention relates to the construction of forms used to confine concrete as it is poured, and the preferred arrangement provides a form for producing a cylindrical column. The components of the form are adapted for knock-down storage, and the mechanical details provide for a simple assembly technique without sacrifice of strength or alignment. The several features of the invention will be analyed in further detail through a discussion of the particular embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 presents a plan View showing a form sheet secured in a tubular configuration, and reinforced by a holding ring assembly.

FIGURE 2 presents a fragmentary view in elevation of the junction of axially successive form sheets joined by a locking ring assembly.

FIGURE 3 presents a perspective veiw of a portion of the edge of the form sheet.

Referring to the drawing, the sheet is preferably of steel, and is provided with the flanges 11 and 12 along its opposite edges. The sheet may be stored in the flat condition (except for the flanges), and provides a tubular configuration when the flanges are brought together in abutting relationship as shown in FIGURE 1. The flanges 11 and 12 are each provided with a ridge as shown at 13 and 14, and both of the flanges (including the ridges) are cut out as shown at 15 and 16 to provide slots which intersect the outer edges. Reinforcing bars as shown at 17 and 18 extend along the channel-shaped space between the ridges 13 and 14 and the respective edge portions of the sheets 10. A series of bolts as shown at 19 and 20, together with the nuts 21 and 22, traverse the cut out areas 15 and 16, and also suitable aligned holes in the reinforcing bars 17 and 18 to secure the sheet 10 against the pressure of concrete which is poured within the interior. The functioning of the reinforcing bars 17 and 18 is to distribute the stresses from the bolts into a uniform loading along the flanges to avoid excessive concentra'tion. It should be noted that the length of the bolts 19 and 21B is selected to permit the nuts 2122 to become sufficiently loosened to permit a sub-assembly including the bolts and the reinforcing bars to be withdrawn from the apertures 15 and 16. This involves the passage of the ridges 13 and 14 between the locking bars 17 and 18.

In columns in which the length exceeds the axial length of one of the sheet 10, the reinforcing ring assemblies 23 are used as a junction between successive coaxial sheets. In the shorter columns in which a single sheet will suflice, the rings will establish accurately the cylindrical (or other) cross-sectional configuration. The rings may be considered as capable of limiated articulation either through deflection, or through a relative movability established between the half-sections 24 and 25 at the bolt 26. The end flanges 27 and 28 of the ring sections 24 and 25, respectively, receive the bolt 26 to provide a knockdown construction. The result is a C-shaped member receiving the flanges 11 and 12 in the discontinuity, and in which the distance between the outer ends 29 and 3t) may be adjusted by the turnbuckle assembly which bridges across the flanges 11 and 12, and includes the nut 31 and the bolt ends 32 and 33. These bolt ends are respectively provided with the off-set portions 34 and 35 which en gage appropriate apertures in the flanges 36 and 37 of 3,144,699 Patented Aug. 18, 1964 the ring portions 24 and 25. Appropriate rotation of the nut 31 will generate a constricting action of the ring assembly 23, and thereby accurately establish the crosssectional configuration of the column. In addition to the flanges 36 and 37, the ring portions are provided with the legs 38 and 39 bearing against the sheets 10, and this portion of the ring may be used to span the junction between axially successive sheets 10 to maintain the relative coaxial alignment in addition to establishing the shape of the column.

When the device is not in use, the bolts 26 are disconnected, and the turnbuckle assemblies disengaged by slipping the offset ends 34 and 35 out of engagement with the flanges 36 and 37. Loosening of the bolts 19 and 20 sutficiently will permit the disengagement of the reinforcing bar sub-assembly from the sheet 10, which may then be spread out flat. Casting of concrete within the assembly shown in FIGURE 1 can either be followed by a trimming of the slight fin existing at the juncture of the flanges 11 and 12, or this discontinuity can be covered by a strip of tape prior to the pouring operation. If desired, thesheet 10 may be provided with attached members providing the flanges 11 and 12, with the edges of the sheet being brought into direct abutting relationship to avoid the creation of the seam line.

The particular embodiments of the present invention which have been illustrated and discussed herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be considered as a limitation upon the scope of the appended claims. In these claims, it is my intention to claim the entire invention disclosed herein, except as I am limited by the prior art.

I claim:

1. A form for confining cast material, said form comprising: a sheet of material having flanges at opposite edges thereof, said flanges having a ridge at the outer edges thereof, and also having aligned apertures intersecting the said outer edges, said flanges being normally in abutting relationship to form said sheet in a tubular configuration; reinforcing bars normally bearing against said flanges, and having apertures aligned with said flange apertures; bolt means traversing said aligned apertures, said bolt means and reinforcing bars providing a unitary assembly engageable with said flanges in a loose condi tion of said bolt means; articulating ring means surrounding the junction between said sheets and having a discontinuity at said flanges; and claimping means normally securing the ends of said ring means bridging said flanges, said clamping means each including a turnbuckle assembly having offset end portions detachably engaging the said ring ends the central portion of said turnbuckle assembly being laterally displaced from a line connecting the points of engagement thereof with said ring ends to clear said flanges.

2. A form for confining cast material, said form comprising: a sheet of material having flanges at opposite edges thereof, said flanges having a ridge at the outer edges thereof, and also having aligned apertures intersecting the said outer edges and open at said outer edges for the reception of bolt means, said flanges being normally in abutting relationship to form said sheet in a tubular configuration; reinforcing bars normally bearing against said flanges, and having apertures aligned with said flange apertures; bolt means transversing said aligned apertures, said bolt means and reinforcing bars providing a unitary assembly engageable with said flanges in a loose condition of said bolt means; articulating ring means surround ing the junction between said sheets; and clamping means normally securing the ends of said ring means, said clamping means each including a turnbuckle assembly having end portions engaging the said ring ends.

3. A form for confining cast material, said form comprising: a sheet of material having flanges at opposite edges thereof, said flanges having a ridge at the outer edges thereof, and also having aligned apertures intersecting the said outer edges and open said outer edges for the reception of bolt means, said flanges being normally in abutting relationship to form said sheet in a tubular configuration; reinforcing bars normally bearing against said flanges, and having apertures aligned with said flange apertures; bolt means traversing asid aligned apertures, said bolt means and reinforcing bars providing a unitary assembly engageable with said flanges in a loose 1 condition of said bolt means; articulating ring means surrounding the junction between said sheets and having a discontinuity at said flanges; and clamping means normally securing the ends of said ring means bridging said flanges.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

3. A FORM FOR CONFINING CAST MATERIAL, SAID FORM COMPRISING: A SHEET OF MATERIAL HAVING FLANGES AT OPPOSITE EDGES THEREOF, SAID FLANGES HAVING A RIDGE AT THE OUTER EDGES THEREOF, AND ALSO HAVING ALIGNED APERTURES INTERSECTING THE SAID OUTER EDGES AND OPEN SAID OUTER EDGES FOR THE RECEPTION OF BOLT MEANS, SAID FLANGES BEING NORMALLY IN ABUTTING RELATIONSHIP TO FORM SAID SHEET IN A TUBULAR CONFIGURATION; REINFORCING BARS NORMALLY BEARING AGAINST SAID FLANGES, AND HAVING APERTURES ALIGNED WITH SAID FLANGE APERTURES; BOLT MEANS TRAVERSING ASID ALIGNED APERTURES, SAID BOLT MEANS AND REINFORCING BARS PROVIDING A UNITARY ASSEMBLY ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID FLANGES IN A LOOSE CONDITION OF SAID BOLT MEANS; ARTICULATING RING MEANS SURROUNDING THE JUNCTION BETWEEN SAID SHEETS AND HAVING A DISCONTINUITY AT SAID FLANGES; AND CLAMPING MEANS NORMALLY SECURING THE ENDS OF SAID RING MEANS BRIDGING SAID FLANGES. 